Leaving one’s country of citizenship requires that one obtain a passport. This also applies to children. Cruise lines and airlines, both require that you provide this document before your travel outside the country. Those that travel by land are also bound by this rule. If you or your child is without a passport, you can obtain expedited US pass ports for children or adults.
Timetable
The application for a passport takes about six weeks. Sometimes, it might take less time but never below four weeks. Expedited service is available for those who want to speed up the processing period. This can shorten the duration of wait from six weeks to two weeks. This expedited service is available at the US Department of State.
Expedited Service
The cost implication of the expedited passport is higher than that of the normal passport. The difference will depend on how urgent the passport is required. Non-governmental agencies also offer this service to the populace. They reduce the processing time to a range of 12 days to 24 hours. If the passport is not needed urgently, the cost implication might be reduced.
Government Licensing
These agencies include Internet based and office based services. The decisive factor that should be deployed in making a choice is if they are government licensed. Once your selection is made, you will have to provide them with the necessary information to begin the application. If you chose an online agency, you should provide them with a valid email by which you can be contacted. Offline agencies will require a phone number they can reach you on.
Payment
The method of payment also varies in regard to the choice of service provider. PayPal, credit card, bank wire and other electronic means of payment are available for the online passport agencies. The offline agencies have the option of bank deposits, credit cards, bank wire, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards. The most convenient payment plan can assist in choosing an agency to patronize.
Additional Charges
Asides from the government approved cost for a passport, the agency also charges for their service. Their charges might also come along with other services besides obtaining a passport. This occurs primarily when the agency is also laden with your traveling arrangements.
Parental Involvement
Notwithstanding the agency you use, the parental/guardian role cannot be bypassed. The present law stipulates that parents/guardians should be available for the application submission. This law applies to all minors who are age 15 and below. The parents/guardian is also responsible for all financial involvement that accompanies the process. They will be needed all through the application process.
Book or Card
When applying for expedited American pasports for children, you need to specify the nature of passport you want. There is the passport book and the passport card. With the passport book, a minor gets to travel by any means of transportation to any part of the world. The passport card is valid only for land and sea travels. This limits the travel destination to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Bermuda. The fees applicable to each of the passports also vary.
